Trio of New Nests on IOP

Three nests were found on the Isle of Palms this morning, all in Wild Dunes where sand renourishment work will begin the end of this month. Some experts say that nesting sea turtles prefer erosional beaches because the don't have to crawl so far to lay their eggs. Could that be why they prefer that section of our island?

The first was Nest #8 discovered at 18 Beachwood East by Bev Miller and Aelecia RIdeout, our dedicated team members on patrol. This one was laid at the base of an eroded and chopped off dune cliff and contained 101 eggs.

Then there were two more, both discovered by Gina and Doug McQuilken accompanied by their beautiful white "grand dog" Luna who always accompanies them. Nest #9 was laid at the Tidewater section of Port O'Call, This loggerhead appeared to have a right flipper abnormality from an old injury. But she laid 121 eggs. Then Gina and Doug found more tracks near the last house on Ocean Point in Dewees Inlet. This was Nest #10 with 138 eggs. This nest had the largest number of eggs, but they appeared smaller than the others that were laid last night.

All three Wild Dunes nests were taken to an area between 28th and 29th Avenues so they would not be damaged by the sand being pumped up onto the beach there to form new dunes in July and August.